The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-04-07
DIR. n. G. TAYLOR GONE.
A Brief Sketch Of His Life-.-.
One Of the Nest Brilliant
Orators of His Day.

journal from Hon A. A, IaylOr, an
nounced the death of Rev. N. G. Tay-
lor at his residence in Garter county,
at five o'clock yesterday morning. 1t
will be sad news to thousands of Ten
nesseeans and thousand outside OF
Tennessee. He has been Il prominent
figure in public life for more than
thirty years. He was educated par
TALLY at Washington college and after
wards graduated at Princeton college
with the first honors of his class.
After leaving school he studied law,
and made preparations for entering
that profession. While at a camp
meeting at old Brush Creek camp
ground, in Washington county some
where about 1S41, an event occurred
which perhaps changed the whole
tenor of his Life. A terrible thunder
storm came up at night. when light
ming struck tent in which, among
others, were Dr. Taylor, sister, and a
friend from North Carolina named
Miller. His sister and Mr.. Miller
were both killed. 1t made such an
impression upon DR.. Taylor that he
at once resolved to abandon the law
and enter the ministry. He began
his ministrations at once. Hon. U. 7.
Temple, of this city, who was at the
camp-ground only night or two al
ter the tragic event related, informs us
that he listened to an appeal made by
Dr. Taylor from the pulpit, remarka-
BILE for its fervor and eloquence, and
for the profound impression it produc-
ed.
He afterwards became noted as q
, pulpit orator and wherever he went
preached to immense congregations
His services were especially in de-
mand at the camp-meetingsso so common
J in that day, and thousands who heard
him then can never forget the i'm
, pressions made. His fame went
abroad and he sson obtained almost q
= national reputation. In addition to
g his ability as pulpit orator, he was
. gentleman Of perfect social qualities
of pure private life and remarkable
q sweetness of disposition all of which
q added to his unbounded popularity.
He had a fondness for political life
o natural to one with such conceded
J. forensic power. In 1849 he ran as the
| whig candidate for congress in the
n first district and was defeated by An
Y drew Johnson, the democratic candi
4 date. Afterwards he was elected t
v congress to fill out an unexpired term
e the vacancy being caused by the deatl
o of Hon. Brookins Campbell. HI
is took an active part in almost ever,
v political canvass from that time up Il
o the beginning of the late war H
q was an ardent wing and an able de
v fender OF the principles OF his party
a so he was often called upon to public
ic lily address the people at nearly all in
portaut points in the state, In 1856
,e he served as elector for the state q
n large on the Bell and Everett electC
# raj ticket. He canvassed the stat
W with Hon. w. c. Whitthorne as HI
ID competitor. 1t was just at the tim
,e the dark clouds were looming up j
iff the distance, threatening to enveloI
IS. thecountry in civil war. With kee
te sense OF the perils ahead, the occasio
Sc was one to which his genius was a.
at mirably adapted, and his appeal in b
be half of the union, eloquent and thril
er ing, often brought tears to the eyes
be his auditors.
OBJ 1t is remarkable that in this ar
as other political campaigns in which
lf- was engaged, wherever he happent
an to be on the Sabbath day he was ca
he ed upon to preach, and the invitation
RS were generally accepted. Then, nj
OIL withstanding the vigor with which
cy combatted the principles and polici
Dig of the opposing party through t
Ish week, on the Sabbath, democrats
EN- well as wings gathered around hi
raj and We'd with each other in their g
.ol, miration of him as q preacher. In !
of contests upon the stump he was not
ats for his courtesy towards his opponel
lip and never INDUCED in any abuse
is those with whom he differed. BesiC
vo- his conduct was such that, althou
ing engaged in the turmoil of politics,
vor never lowered his ministerial dign
,rse and was never guilty of anything
the consistent with the character o.
ted Christian gentleman. To this is
of the fact that his political oppone
an ever lost confidence lin him al
.ov. man. sq
Ian When the war came up, he very nG
axe rally allied himself with the I'm
lion cause. In the remarkable campa
first which preceded the elections of Il
the his eloquent voice was heard plead
llar for the old government and the
eIler flag. Soon after General Burn
light came into East Tennessee in 1868,
Taylor conceived the idea OF &C